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/I TATe have a unique tJ'f'Portunity to do the right thing for Co/Qrado and our future, We can protect Y V Colorado's wildlife, We can pre5errJe economic tJ'f'Portunity, We can avoid litigation and confronta- tion, We can create a framework for development in Colorado pursuant to Colorado - not federal -law, _ And, we can save millions of dollars in compliance costs. ,. "All this takes is an investment today of a relatively small amount of money. Through the existing Platte River and Colorado/San Juan Recovery Programs, and through the Declining Species MOA, we have the framework in place to accomplish these objectives, Investing numey in these programs will pay huge divi- dends for Colorado's wildlife, and for today's and future generations of Coloradans," - James S, Lochhead Presentation to Endangered Species Conference November 14,1997 USFWS could likely find such a petition warranted. A feder- al listing could affect many water management activities and other activities, such as grazing and forestry, that could affect the condition of Colorado streams. TIle Division of Wildlife has participated in an extensive three-state conser- vation planning effort which has produced a draft plan to improve populations and protect habitat and reduce compet- itive threats from introduced non-native fish species. TIle projected cost of implementing this draft plan pertaining to Colorado is $1.3 million. MOllDWn Plover. During the summer breeding peri- od, this migratory bird species occupies habitats in South Park and the eastern high plains, principally in Colorado. It migrates to the southwestern United States and Mexico to spend winters. Once abundant, the mountain plover has experienced significant population declines during the past 30 years, A private organization has petitioned the Service to list the species, and the USFWS has determined that list- ing is warranled but precluded by higher resource manage- ment priorities, A federal listing could affect many tilling and grazing practices throughout the Eastern Plains. though some grazing regimes may be compatible with the plover's needs, Additional planning to conserve key areas and to develop voluntary best management practices for private lands is projected to cost S5OO.000, Colorado's share for implementing the resulting plan is presenl:ly unknown, although it could be over $1 million. Substantial additional funding could be obtained from federal fann assistance and habitat protection programs, Rio Grande Suck,.., This species occurs in the Rio Grande basin and has declined signifiantly due to competi- tion from an introduced non-native sucker species, The Division of Wildlife has listed it under the state's threatened and endangered species law, The division prepared. plan in 1994 detailing measures required to IeCover the species, TIle cost of implementing these measures is projected to be $300.000, . e